April 19, 2026 | Welcoming the Stranger
Join us for Peace Sunday 2026—Welcoming the Stranger! This year, Matthew Soerens, author and Vice President of Advocacy and Policy at World Relief, will help us thoughtfully engage the topic of immigration through a biblical lens. Drawing from his book, Welcoming the Stranger, Matthew will share how followers of Jesus are called to respond with compassion, justice, and hospitality. Together, we will reflect on what it means to love our neighbors in a politically polarizing and divided world. Come ready to be challenged, encouraged, and equipped for faithful witness.
9:00 am Learning Community Panel Discussion:
How Can We Love, Serve, and Defend Immigrants and Refugees? Even if we already know that God calls us to love, serve, and defend the rights of immigrants and refugees, many of us may not be familiar with practical and truly beneficial ways to do so. We will listen to and learn from the experiences of a variety of people: a refugee, a Church World Service employee, and World Relief’s Matthew Soerens. The panel will be hosted by our own Kevin Veriede, who has extensive experience in organizing support for immigrants and refugees. Join us for this opportunity to be informed and to be inspired regarding how we can take actions to “welcome the stranger.”
10:30 am Worship ServiceSermon Title: Welcoming the Stranger: Thinking Biblically about Refugees & Immigration
Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 10:17-19, Matthew 25:31-46
Sermon Focus: Issues of refugees and immigration are obviously political, economic and cultural issues — but sometimes we miss that they are also biblical issues, with profound ramifications for God's mission. Matthew Soerens, author and Vice President of Advocacy and Policy at World Relief, will explore various biblical principles that can shape how we think about and respond to issues of refugees and immigration.
